Vance floats US troop withdrawal from Germany over free-speech concerns
U.S. Vice President JD Vance on Thursday night suggested that the Trump administration could reconsider its military presence in Germany, tying continued American defense commitments to Berlin’s stance on free speech.
Speaking at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Washington, Vance took direct aim at Germany’s handling of online speech restrictions, warning that the American public would not support funding the country’s defense while its government cracks down on political expression.
“Think about this,” Vance said. “Germany's entire defense is subsidized by the American taxpayer. There are thousands upon thousands of American troops in Germany today. Do you think that the American taxpayer is going to stand for that if you get thrown in jail in Germany for posting a mean tweet? Of course, they're not.”
His comments, which received loud applause from the CPAC crowd, continue a stark escalation in the Trump administration’s approach to transatlantic relations. The remarks follow a
fiery speech Vance delivered earlier this month at the Munich Security Conference, where he lambasted European leaders for their migration policies and alleged censorship of political dissent.
Vance’s address in Munich
drew sharp reactions across the European political spectrum, as he accused Western leaders of undermining democratic values through mass migration and speech suppression.
At CPAC, he further argued that Western governments, particularly under the previous Biden administration, had imposed a culture of censorship that mirrored policies in authoritarian states.
“The Biden administration did more to destroy free speech, not just in the United States, but also in Europe, than any administration in American history,” he said. “Follow the lead of Donald J. Trump, and that's free speech, borders and sovereignty. That is the future for our shared civilization.”
Vance’s comments signal that the Trump administration may be prepared to apply direct pressure on Germany and other NATO allies
by threatening to withdraw or reduce the U.S. military footprint in Europe. Germany hosts around 35,000 U.S. troops, a legacy of America’s post-World War II security commitments and Cold War deterrence strategy.
While the Trump administration has long criticized European governments for not contributing enough to their own defense, Vance’s remarks tie the issue explicitly to Germany’s domestic policies rather than financial burden-sharing.
A spokesperson for Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s office declined to comment directly but reiterated Berlin’s commitment to democratic principles and European security.
“I would prefer not to constantly react to statements from the administration," the spokesperson said. "I still believe in reason and in facts, and I hope that in America, the real facts will be heard. And that is what we must rely on.”
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